in botany: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the decandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 14th order, Gruinariae. The calyx is pentaphyllous; the petals are five, and heart-shaped; the capsule is quinquilocular, ten-valved, with the cells monoecious. There are three species, natives of Spain, Crete, and Arabia.